Workplace Anti-drug programme launched - Ramsammy says Guyanese drink too much alcohol

Source: Guyana Chronicle, 16th May 2008

THE Ministry of Health’s Drug Demand Reduction and Health Promotion Programme, in collaboration with Phoenix Recovery Project, on Wednesday launched its Workplace Anti-Drug Sensitisation Programme aimed at educating employees of the public and private sectors on the dangers of drug use.

‘DRUG FREE IS THE WAY TO BE’: From left, Focal Point of the Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Ms. Sheranne Isaacs; Director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Programme, Dr. Marcia Paltoo; and Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy at the launching of the Workplace Anti-drug Sensitisation Programme and Television and Radio Programme on Wednesday.


It also initiated its television programme ‘Changing Course’ scheduled to commence on May 22 on the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Radio programme ‘Tales from the Crack’ on the Voice of Guyana from May 28.

The programmes will be hosted by Ms. Andrea Bryan and Mr. Malcolm Ferreira respectively.
The launching was held at the Zoom Inn Hotel, Georgetown.
The workplace programme will focus on three categories of drug use and abuse: legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco); illegal drugs (cocaine, marijuana and heroine); and misuse of prescription drugs.

Focal Point of the Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Ms. Sheranne Isaacs, said that there is substantial evidence that substance abuse has penetrated all strata of the Guyanese society, hence the Ministry’s Drug Demand Reduction Programme has heightened efforts in the fight against substance abuse here.

She outlined that the Ministry is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education and behaviour change communication programmes, including the Schools Anti-Drug Edutainment Programme, the Workplace Sensitisation Programme and other public education programmes via the media.

“The ultimate goal of these interventions is to ensure a drug free society,” Isaacs emphasised.

Members of the Edutainment cast during a dramatic presentation on drug abuse.


She said that the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol may affect an individual’s ability to do his job effectively and result in increased short term sickness and absenteeism; a deterioration of relationship with colleagues, customers or management; and low productivity and poor quality of work.

“It is important that all businesses are aware of the potential impact of alcohol and drugs…and have in place an effective and robust workplace policy that clearly outlines the company’s role and procedures in dealing with substance misuse,” Isaacs noted.Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in his feature address, noted that, every two minutes in the Americas someone dies because of alcohol.

“That cannot be a trivial problem…we know what we are dealing with when we talk about substance abuse,” he noted.

“We drink (alcohol) too much,” he insisted.

He observed that in the world the average consumption of alcohol is 4.7 litres per capita, while it is over eight litres in the Americas.

“In Guyana our per capita consumption is just over six litres,” he pointed out.

The minister said that there is no region in the world where there is more alcohol related deaths than in the Americas.

“More than 350,000 people will die this year because of alcohol related accidents, violence and diseases to which alcohol is a risk factor,” he noted.

“Alcohol is the leading cause of road accidents…also one of the leading causes of domestic violence,” Ramsammy emphasised.

“I appeal to all employers to work with us diligently…and that is one way we will get into people’s spaces,” he noted.

The minister encouraged the public to tune into ‘Changing the Course’ programme and ‘Tales from the Crack’, and he also appealed to parents and teachers to persuade children to watch the programme.

“We will use every communication means to get to people…we want to guarantee everybody that these efforts are not transient, short-lived efforts,” he assured.

He noted that changing the course for drug users is possible and support programmes are necessary.

Hence, the ministry is starting its own support programme next month by conducting a training programme for a mentoring group to deal with substance dependency and expand the capacity, he revealed.

Ramsammy said, too, that the religious leaders need to play a role in this initiative.

He noted that the laws need to be made more rigid since too many persons drink and drive.

Additionally, he noted that people smoke too much and do not exercise enough.

He pointed out that the Ministry is committed to the million miles walk and he is encouraging Guyanese to eat more vegetables and fruits.